On 20 March 2012, a Satellite Telecommunications Conference – An innovative tool serving regional development – was organized at the Committee of the Regions (CoR), in Brussels bringing together a considerable number of representatives of European and local Institutions.
The conference, organized under the patronage of Ms Mercedes Bresso President of the CoR, aimed at better informing regional and local officials and professionals of the Telecom sector on the wide and various European Union financial instruments available to develop and deploy SatCom applications and services. In particular, structural and cohesion funds, the EU Digital Agenda initiative, and the proposed “Connecting Europe” strategy provide many current and future financial opportunities.
Nowadays, having access to broadband communication services, including internet, television and telephone, is a necessity that concerns every European citizen. Broadband communications have an increasingly impact on the economic and social development of European regions and cities. However, many regions across Europe still have very limited access to these services, usually due to geographic or demographic constraints.
An analysis of these assumptions was carried out by Mr. A. Bénéteau, NEREUS President, in his speech during the second session: “National and regional programs “100% broadband coverage” in the EU, the situation today. With particular regard to the regional situation, Mr. Bénéteau recalled NEREUS’ efforts to spread the use and understanding of SatCom technologies across Europe. In this context, he mentioned the current and future activities of the NEREUS Telecommunications WG as well as the network involvement in creating new partnerships and in mobilizing project initiatives.
In the final panel discussion, Ms Edit Herczog, MEP, pointed out that despite living in an era that calls for austerity, Europe needs innovation-based growth; Satellite Telecommunication technologies play an important role in this direction. Mr. Vittorio Prodi, MEP and President of the Sky and Space Intergroup of the EP, asked in his concluding remarks for a community effort to eliminate the “Digital Divide” before it turns into “Digital Fraction”.
Please visit the event web page to download the speaker’s presentations.
